The County

Alexandra Michaud

Alexandra Michaud poses next to her acrylic painting "Bubble Gum Clouds" during the opening of her exhibition at Wintergreen Arts Center on Friday. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)

Alexandra Michaud poses next to her acrylic painting "Bubble Gum Clouds" during the opening of her exhibition at Wintergreen Arts Center on Friday. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)

Wintergreen re-launches First Friday art exhibits with familiar face

Wintergreen holds its first First Friday event in its new space at Aroostook Centre Mall. It is also the first public First Friday opening since the nonprofit reduced its event schedule during the pandemic

News Browse News

Presque Isle City Council will not put tax-acquired properties to bid

Instead of putting two tax-acquired properties up for bid, Presque Isle City Council unanimously decided in last week’s city council meeting to accept Big Bear Realty’s proposal to market the properties.

Southern Aroostook transitions to remote learning following fire

Students at Southern Aroostook Community school will spend the week in a remote learning setting following a tractor fire at the school March 3.

Virtual wellness classes increase social connections, wellbeing of local senior citizens

Healthy Living for ME, a partnership between the Aroostook Agency on Aging, SeniorsPlus and Spectrum Generations, has revamped its courses so they can be offered online for seniors.

Mars Hill stabbing victim transported to hospital, police arrest suspect

A Mars Hill man was transported to the hospital Saturday evening and another man was arrested following a report of an assault with a weapon at a Benjamin Street residence.

New Brunswick tightens border travel restrictions

New Brunswick’s government tightened border restrictions again last week, so that even family members of Canadian citizens can no longer enter the province via border crossings in Maine.

Aroostook maple producers eager for Maine Maple Weekend to offset COVID-19 losses

Virus restrictions that began last March caused the postponement and, for some, the cancellation of Maine Maple Sunday Weekend, an event state officials said can make or break a small producer’s bottom line.

Crime and Courts Browse Crime and Courts

November Indictments for Aroostook County

A Presque Isle man charged with burglary of the Braden Theater last August and facing several other charges after evading police was one of the 60 indictments an Aroostook County Grand Jury handed up in November 2020.

Caribou Criminal Docket, October 2020

The following cases were heard under the Aroostook Criminal Docket at the Caribou Courthouse October 2020.

Presque Isle Criminal Docket, October 2020

The following cases were heard under the Aroostook Criminal Docket at the Presque Isle Courthouse in October 2020.

Houlton Criminal Docket, November 2020

The following cases were heard under the Aroostook Criminal Docket at the Houlton Courthouse in November 2020.

Presque Isle Criminal Docket, November 2020

The following cases were heard under the Aroostook Criminal Docket at the Presque Isle Courthouse in November 2020.

Caribou Criminal Docket, November 2020

The following cases were heard under the Aroostook Criminal Docket at the Caribou Courthouse in November 2020.

Sports Browse Sports

Houlton conquers Central Aroostook to advance in playoffs

The Houlton girls basketball team celebrated another home victory Friday March 5, defeating Central Aroostook 56-22 in a Class B/C semifinal playoff for the Aroostook League.

‘Cats advance to divisional championship

Julianna Morningstar was a key component in the Presque Isle girls basketball team's undefeated regular season, providing plenty of scoring off the bench in helping her team to the top seed in the Aroostook League Class B/C playoffs.

Wildcats fall in hockey quarterfinal

The playoff run came to an end for the Presque Isle hockey team Saturday evening as the Wildcats fell to Hampden Academy 3-1.

This high-tech trio of ice fishing tools can improve your outing

I received a catalog in the mail last week from a world-recognized outdoor equipment supplier. As I paged through it, the technological advancements in fishing and hunting gear made my brain swim.

Shires edge past Madawaska in boys quarterfinal

A depleted Houlton boys basketball team was able to hold off a determined Madawaska squad Thursday night, 72-59, in a Class B/C quarterfinal.

Top seeds hold true in boys quarterfinals

The top seeds have thus far held true for schoolboy basketball playoffs following the quarterfinal round. Semifinals will be held Saturday, followed by regional championships on Tuesday and an overall championship game set for Thursday, March 11.

Business News Browse Business News

McGuire re-elected as Maine Water Utilities Association president

Maine Water Utilities Association (MWUA) has announced that Brian McGuire, superintendent of the Houlton Water Company, has been elected as president of the MWUA for a second term.

Young Professionals Institute takes shape in new virtual offering

It was just a few sessions into last year’s Young Professionals Institute when the pandemic shuttered businesses and altered gatherings. And even though organizers thought the institute could pick back up in a few months, it was obvious a new online format was necessary, Kim Jones, University of Maine at Presque Isle director of Employer U, said.

Agency on Aging names home care and nutrition director

The Aroostook Agency on Aging recently welcomed Chris Beaulieu as the director of home care and nutrition services.

University Credit Union Scholarship application now open

University Credit Union is pleased to announce the application period for the annual UCU Scholarship is now open online at http://www.ucumaine.com/scholarship/.

The Hive Mortgage Solutions welcomes Peterson

The Hive Mortgage Solutions is pleased to announce that they have hired Emma Peterson (NMLS: 2088060) of Houlton as a new mortgage loan originator for southern Aroostook County.

Katahdin Bankshares Corp. announces dividend for first quarter of 2021

Katahdin Bankshares Corp. (OTCQX: KTHN), parent company of Katahdin Trust Company, a community bank founded in 1918 serving northern Maine and the greater Bangor and Portland regions, announced that it has declared a cash dividend of $0.125 per share for the first quarter of 2021.

State, National and World News Browse State, National and World News

Legislation would give state recognition to Kineo Band of Maliseets

A bill to grant state recognition for a second band of Maliseets could be complicated by larger conversations around sovereignty in Maine.

Maine slows spread of Emerald Ash Borer with continued ash movement restrictions

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Plant Health Program and Maine Forest Service announced that Maine is taking the next step to continue regulating the movement of ash wood material.

Caribou considers becoming state’s third Second Amendment Sanctuary city

Caribou City Council will consider declaring the city a Second Amendment Sanctuary during its next regular meeting March 8.

PI family law magistrate one of Gov. Mills’ nominees for Maine District Court

A Fort Fairfield family law magistrate has been named as one of Governor Janet Mills' six candidates for Maine District Court judge.

Living Browse Living

Wintergreen re-launches First Friday art exhibits with familiar face

Wintergreen holds its first First Friday event in its new space at Aroostook Centre Mall. It is also the first public First Friday opening since the nonprofit reduced its event schedule during the pandemic

Virtual wellness classes increase social connections, wellbeing of local senior citizens

Healthy Living for ME, a partnership between the Aroostook Agency on Aging, SeniorsPlus and Spectrum Generations, has revamped its courses so they can be offered online for seniors.

Caribou JMG starts food pantry in honor of fallen classmates

Caribou High School’s Jobs for Maine Graduates students are starting a food pantry in honor of two fallen classmates who would have been in their graduating class this year. The plan was unveiled during a March 3 RSU 39 (Caribou and Stockholm) Board of Education meeting.

Opinion Browse Opinion

I began my full-time reporter career two weeks before a worldwide pandemic was declared

When I first started my reporting job at the Houlton Pioneer Times, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

Embracing truth for Lent

To the editor: “This is the true and central programme of the Lenten Season: to listen to the word of truth, to live, speak and do what is true, to refuse falsehood that poisons humanity and is the vehicle of all evils.

Dreaming for a reason

How do we capture a dream? An animated thought that tiptoes into the midst of slumber. A confusing, nonsensical flash of what can or cannot be. A desire, a fear, a dread, a regret, an adventure that belongs to you exclusively.

County Candids Browse County Candids

Ducks on a winter pond

Despite the 20-degree temperature, ducks swim in the pond at Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital in Presque Isle on Friday morning, Jan. 8.

When life hands you snow…

A happy-looking snowman greets visitors to this home on Downing Place in Presque Isle.

Raging Meduxnekeag

Raging Meduxnekeag

Frosty Monday morning

"Frost on the pumpkin" turned into white stuff Monday morning, Oct. 26, as the Presque Isle area saw its first visible snowfall.